A cooling device

ABSTRACT

By means of the present invention, a cooling device ( 9 ) is realized, that prevents the fresh food compartment ( 10 ) to be cooled unnecessarily while the door ( 12 ) of the fresh food compartment ( 10 ) is open, that prevents formation of frost on the first evaporator ( 7 ) even when the user keeps the door ( 12 ) of the fresh food compartment ( 10 ) open frequently and/or for a long time while the compressor ( 1 ) is operating, thus decreasing the requirement of performing a special defrost cycle, furthermore that directs the refrigerant fluid only to the freezing compartment ( 11 ) while the door ( 12 ) of the fresh food compartment ( 10 ) is open during the refrigeration cycle, enabling preferably to maintain additional cooling in the freezing compartment ( 11 ), that enables the compressor ( 1 ) to be used more effectively, enabling a more effective refrigeration to be performed and hence providing energy saving.

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising twocompartments and two evaporators.

The users have to store some foods in the frozen state and some in thecooled state. The white good producers designed cooling devices havingtwo compartments where products to be cooled and products to be frozencan be placed separately and two evaporators that provide the cooling ofthe compartments at different temperatures by evaporating a refrigerantfluid in order to meet both demands of the users.

The users keep the door of the compartment open, for example the freshfood compartment of this type of cooling device, generally for a longtime in order to place the bought products therein. During this time,the warm air in the outer environment enters into the compartment andcauses the compartment to heat up. This causes the refrigerationefficiency to decrease.

In the state of the art International Patent Application no. WO0237038,a double compartment cooling device is explained wherein the frostformed on the evaporator is enabled to be defrosted by a special defrostcycle.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling devicewherein the requirement for performing the defrost cycle is decreasedand which provides a more effective refrigeration.

The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the presentinvention and explicated in the attached claims, comprises a sensor thatprovides the detection of the opening and closing of the fresh foodcompartment door, a valve that provides the circulation of therefrigerant fluid in at least two different ways such that it flowsthrough both of the evaporators or only through the second evaporatorand a control unit that enables the valve to change the flow path of therefrigerant fluid depending on the result of the detection during therefrigeration cycle. Thus, the first evaporator is prevented fromcooling unnecessarily while the door of the first compartment is openduring the refrigeration cycle.

The control unit enables the valve to circulate the refrigerant fluidthrough both evaporators while the door of the fresh food compartment isclosed during the refrigeration cycle. Thus, normal refrigeration cycleis enabled to be performed while the door of the fresh food compartmentis closed during the refrigeration cycle. The control unit enables therefrigerant fluid to be circulated through only the second evaporator bythe valve while the door of the fresh food compartment is open duringthe refrigeration cycle. Thus, a refrigeration cycle that saves energyis realized while the door of the fresh food compartment is open duringthe refrigeration cycle.

The control unit changes the flow path of the refrigerant fluid by meansof the valve during the refrigeration cycle when the door of the freshfood compartment is detected to be changed from a closed position to anopen position. Thus, the cooling device is enabled to pass from thenormal refrigeration cycle immediately to the energy savingrefrigeration cycle when the door of the fresh food compartment isopened. Furthermore, the refrigerant fluid is prevented from cooling thefresh food compartment without deactivating the compressor and thefreezing compartment is continued to be cooled while the door of thefresh food compartment is open.

The control unit enables the flow path of the refrigerant fluid to bechanged by means of the valve during the refrigeration cycle when thedoor of the fresh food compartment is detected to be changed from anopen position to a closed position. Consequently, the cooling device isenabled to change immediately from the energy saving refrigeration cycleto the normal refrigeration cycle when the door of the fresh foodcompartment is closed and the refrigerant fluid is enabled to be passedthrough the evaporators of the freezing and the fresh food compartments.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprisesa first evaporator disposed after the valve, a second evaporatordisposed after the first evaporator and a by-pass line that extendsbetween the valve and the inlet of the second evaporator. When the dooris detected to be closed by the sensor, the refrigerant fluid is firstdirected to the first evaporator and afterwards to the second evaporatorby means of the valve. When the door is detected to be open by thesensor, the refrigerant fluid is directed to the by-pass line by thevalve. The refrigerant fluid that passes through the by-pass lineafterwards passes through the second evaporator. In this embodiment, therefrigerant fluid does not pass through the first evaporator.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the cooling device comprises asecond capillary disposed on the by-pass line. When the valve is in thefirst position, the refrigerant fluid passes through the first capillaryand when the valve is in the second position, it passes through thesecond capillary.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling devicecomprises a second evaporator disposed after the condenser, the valvedisposed after the second evaporator, the first evaporator disposedafter the valve and a by-pass line that extends between the valve andthe outlet of the first evaporator. When the door is detected to beclosed by the sensor, the refrigerant fluid first passes through thesecond evaporator and afterwards is directed to the first evaporator bymeans of the valve. When the door is detected to be open by the sensor,the refrigerant fluid that passes through the second evaporator isdirected to the by-pass line by the valve. The refrigerant fluid thatpasses through the by-pass line, afterwards returns to the compressor.In this embodiment, the refrigerant fluid does not pass through thefirst evaporator.

By means of the present invention, a cooling device is realized whereinthe requirement for performing the defrost cycle is decreased and whichprovides a more effective refrigeration.

The model embodiments relating to the cooling device realized in orderto attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in theattached figures, where:

FIG. 1—is the schematic view of a cooling device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2—is the schematic view of the refrigeration cycle in a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3—is the schematic view of the refrigeration cycle in a secondembodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

-   1. Compressor-   2. By-pass line-   3. Condenser-   4. Control unit-   5. Valve-   6. 106. Capillary-   7. First evaporator-   8. Second evaporator-   9. Cooling device-   10. Fresh food compartment-   11. Freezing compartment-   12. Door-   13. Sensor

The cooling device (9) of the present invention comprises a fresh foodcompartment (10) having a door (12), wherein products to be cooled areplaced, a freezing compartment (11) having a door, wherein products tobe frozen are placed, a compressor (1) that enables the refrigerantfluid to be compressed and circulated in a refrigeration cycle, acondenser (3) that enables the compressed refrigerant fluid to becondensed by cooling, a first evaporator (7) that enables the fresh foodcompartment (10) to be cooled by vaporizing the refrigerant fluid, asecond evaporator (8) that enables the freezing compartment (11) to becooled by vaporizing the refrigerant fluid and that is connected inseries to the first evaporator (7), and at least one capillary (6)disposed after the condenser (3) and prior to the evaporators (7, 8)with respect to flow direction of the refrigerant fluid, which enablesthe flow of the refrigerant fluid to be regulated (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

The cooling device (9) furthermore comprises a sensor (13) that detectsthe opening and closing of the fresh food compartment (10) the door(12), a valve (5) that is disposed after the condenser (3), that enablesthe refrigerant fluid to flow through both of the two evaporators (7, 8)while in the first position, and flow through only the second evaporator(8) while in the second position, and a control unit (4) that enablesthe position of the valve (5) to be changed (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Duringthe refrigeration cycle, the valve (5) directs the refrigerant fluidonly to the second evaporator (8) while the door (12) of the fresh foodcompartment (10) is open. Thus, the first evaporator (7) is preventedfrom cooling unnecessarily and the formation of frosting on the firstevaporator (7) while the door (12) is open is prevented (FIG. 1).

While the door (12) is closed, the control unit (4) changes the valve(5) to the first position, enabling the refrigerant fluid to passthrough both of the two evaporators (7, 8) during the refrigerationcycle (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Thus, normal refrigeration cycle is realizedwhile the door (12) is closed during the refrigeration cycle. While thedoor (12) is open, the control unit (4) changes the valve (5) to thesecond position, enabling the refrigerant fluid to be directed only tothe second evaporator (8) during the refrigeration cycle.

The control unit (4) changes the valve (5) from the from the firstposition to the second position during the refrigeration cycle such thatthe flow path of the refrigerant fluid changes when the door (12) isdetected to be changed from a closed position to an open position by thesensor (13) (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

The control unit (4) changes the valve (5) from the from the secondposition to the first position during the refrigeration cycle such thatthe flow path of the refrigerant fluid changes when the door (12) isdetected to change from an open position to a closed position by thesensor (13) (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Thus, the cooling device (9) is enabledto pass from the energy saving refrigeration cycle immediately to thenormal refrigeration cycle when the door (12) is closed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (9)comprises a first evaporator (7) disposed after the valve (5), a secondevaporator (8) disposed after the first evaporator (7) and a by-passline (2) that extends between the valve (5) and the inlet of the secondevaporator (8) (FIG. 2). When the door (12) is detected to be closed bythe sensor (13), the valve (5) is changed to the first position by thecontrol unit (4). In this position, the refrigerant fluid is firstdirected to the first evaporator (7) and afterwards to the secondevaporator (8) by the valve (5). In this position, the refrigerant fluiddoes not pass through the by-pass line (2). Both the fresh foodcompartment (10) and the freezing compartment (11) are cooled by meansof the evaporators (7, 8). When the door (12) is detected to be open bythe sensor (13), the valve (5) is changed to the second position by thecontrol unit (4). In this position, the refrigerant fluid is directed tothe by-pass line (2) by the valve (5). The refrigerant fluid that passesthrough the by-pass line (2), afterwards passes through the secondevaporator (8). In this embodiment, the refrigerant fluid does not passthrough the first evaporator (7). Only the freezing compartment (11) iscooled by means of the second evaporator (8)

In a derivative of this embodiment, the cooling device (9) comprises asecond capillary (106) disposed on the by-pass line (2) (FIG. 2). Inthis embodiment, the capillary (6) is disposed after the valve (5) andprior to the first evaporator (7). When the valve (5) is in the firstposition, the refrigerant fluid passes through the first capillary (6)and when the valve (5) is in the second position, it passes through thesecond capillary (106).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (9)comprises a second evaporator (8) disposed after the condenser (3), thevalve (5) disposed after the second evaporator (8), the first evaporator(7) disposed after the valve (5) and a by-pass line (2) that extendsbetween the valve (5) and the outlet of the first evaporator (7) (FIG.3). When the door (12) is detected to be closed by the sensor (13), thevalve (5) is changed to the first position by the control unit (4). Inthis position, the refrigerant fluid first passes through the secondevaporator (8) and afterwards is directed to the first evaporator (7) bythe valve (5). In this position, the refrigerant fluid does not passthrough the by-pass line (2). Both the fresh food compartment (10) andthe freezing compartment (11) are cooled by means of the evaporators (7,8). When the door (12) is detected to be open by the sensor (13), thevalve (5) is changed to the second position by the control unit (4). Inthis position, the refrigerant fluid that passes through the secondevaporator (8) is directed to the by-pass line (2) by the valve (5). Therefrigerant fluid that passes through the by-pass line (2), afterwardsreturns to the compressor (1). In this embodiment, the refrigerant fluiddoes not pass through the first evaporator (7). Only the freezingcompartment (11) is cooled by means of the second evaporator (8).

By means of the present invention, a cooling device (9) is realized,that prevents the fresh food compartment (10) to be cooled unnecessarilywhile the door (12) of the fresh food compartment (10) is open, thatprevents formation of frost on the first evaporator (7) even when theuser keeps the door (12) of the fresh food compartment (10) openfrequently and/or for a long time while the compressor (1) is operating,thus decreasing the requirement of performing a special defrost cycle,furthermore that directs the refrigerant fluid only to the freezingcompartment (11) while the door (12) of the fresh food compartment (10)is open during the refrigeration cycle, enabling preferably to maintainadditional cooling in the freezing compartment (11), that enables thecompressor (1) to be used more effectively, enabling a more effectiverefrigeration to be performed and hence providing energy saving.

1. A cooling device (9) comprising a fresh food compartment (10) havinga door (12), wherein products to be cooled are placed, a freezingcompartment (11) wherein products to be frozen are placed, a compressor(1) that enables the refrigerant fluid to be compressed and circulatedin a refrigeration cycle, a condenser (3) that enables the compressedrefrigerant fluid to be condensed by cooling, a first evaporator (7)that cools the fresh food compartment (10), a second evaporator (8) thatcools the freezing compartment (11) and that is connected in series tothe first evaporator (7), at least one capillary (6) disposed after thecondenser (3) and prior to the evaporators (7, 8) with respect to flowdirection of the refrigerant fluid, which enables the flow of therefrigerant fluid to be regulated, and a sensor (13) that detects theopening and closing of the fresh food compartment (10) door (12),characterized by a valve (5) disposed after the condenser (3), thatdirects the refrigerant fluid to both of the two evaporators (7, 8)while the door (12) is closed, and directs the refrigerant fluid only tothe second evaporator (8) while the door (12) is open and a control unit(4) that enables the position of the valve (5) to be changed.
 2. Acooling device (9) as in claim 1, characterized by the first evaporator(7) disposed after the valve (5), the second evaporator (8) disposedafter the first evaporator (7) and a by-pass line (2) that extendsbetween the valve (5) and the inlet of the second evaporator (8).
 3. Acooling device (9) as in claim 2, characterized by the valve (5) thatdirects the refrigerant fluid to the by-pass line (2) when the door (12)is detected to be open by the sensor (13).
 4. A cooling device (9) as inclaim 3, characterized by the capillary (6) disposed after the valve (5)and prior to the first evaporator (7), through which the refrigerantfluid passes while the valve (5) is in the first position and a secondcapillary (106) disposed on the by-pass line (2), through which therefrigerant fluid passes while the valve (5) is in the second position.5. A cooling device (9) as in claim 1, characterized by the secondevaporator (8) disposed after the condenser (3), the valve (5) disposedafter the second evaporator (8), the first evaporator (7) disposed afterthe valve (5) and a by-pass line (2) that extends between the valve (5)and the outlet of the first evaporator (7).
 6. A cooling device (9) asin claim 5, characterized by the valve (5) that directs the refrigerantfluid passing through the second evaporator (8) to the by-pass line (2)when the door (12) is detected to be open by the sensor (13).